Indicating and recording instrument for testing piston rings and the like



July 28, 1931. J. H. HOLLOWAY INDICATING AND RECORDING INSTRUMENT FOR TESTING PISTON RINGS AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 5, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet. 1

Q Q 0 6 0N0N0 000 0000 0000 0 0 0 0 0000000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 I N VEN TOR.

JOHN

YA TTORNEY;

July 28, 1931. J. H. HOLLOWAY INDICATING AND RECORDING INSTRUMENT FOR TESTING PISTON RINGS AND THE LIKE Fild Aug. 5. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYQ Patented July 28, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT orricepf JOHN H. HOLLOWAY, OF LAFAYETTE, INDIANA INDICATING- AND RECORDING INSTRUMENT FOR TESTING PISTON RINGS AND THE LIKE Application filed August 5, 1927. Serial No. 210,853.

This invention relates to an instrument for measuring or indicating variations 'in surface contact, curvature or thicknessof an object, as well as measuring or indicating the spring tension or radial force exerted there by, and developing a diagram or chart for visually indicating the same.

The invention is particularlyapplicable to the scientific testing of piston rings with respect to cylinder contact and spring tension.

or outward radial force exerted against 'a cylinder wall. However, itwill be appreciated and understood that it is equally applicable for the measurement of other articles or objects for graphically or otherwise indicating any variation in curvature, such as the variation in curvature of a piston or cylinder, or the spring tension, such as the spring tension exerted by a flat, spiral or 0 cylindrical spring throughout its length. It is also adaptable to indicate the variation in thickness of a strip of metal, or the spring tension or force exerted thereby.

One feature of the invention resides in its 5 application to'a piston ring whereby it will graphically chart or develop a diagram visually indicating any extent. of surface about the periphery of the ring which does not have the proper cylinder contact or comprises a so-called flat, while at the-same time similarly charting the variation in spring tension of the ring, or in other Words, the outward radial force which would be exerted thereby against a cylinder Wall. This is not only quickly and easily accomplished by merely placing a piston ring in the instrument and rotating the same one revolution, but the graphic chart produced thereby actually measures such va-riations and gives a clear visual illustration thereof as applied to the corresponding portions of the piston ring. Thus, a piston ring may be tested and a permanent record made of such arcs in the ring as may have improper curvature or contact, r or fail to exert the proper radial force.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawings and the following description and claims:

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevavtion thereof in section.

tion of the instrument showing a solenoid in there is a support 29 having a contact point cross section. Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the lower portion of the instrument. Fig.

3 is a side elevation with the upper portion removed. Fig. 4 is a side elevation showing the opposite side from Fig. 3 with a por- Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line 55 of Fig. 3. Fig. 6' is a Wiring diagram j In the drawings there isshown an instrument having a base 10 provided with a cylinder housing 11 mounted thereon havingits. axial center positioned horizontally. Supported above the housing there is a plurality of supporting posts v12 upon the upper end of which there is securely mounted a solenoid or'electro-magnet 18. The electro-magnet is provided, with the usual floating core 14 which is screwed upon a rod 15 extending centrally therethrough and protruding from the top and bottom ends thereof. The electro-magnet is iron clad of the tractive type. On the top of said rod there is an adjusting nut 16 screw threaded thereon with a lock nut 17 mounted thereabove. The lower end of the rod 15 is secured to the top of a calibrated [7b spring 18 depending vertically from the lower end of saidrod. Said rod and spring are securely locked together by the lock nuts 19,. The lower end of the calibrated spring is provided with a ball 20 mounted in the socket 21 of the connecting member 22 which is adjustably secured upon the end of a loading bar 23 by means of the adjusting and lock nuts 24. The loading bar 28 extends through a suitable bearing 25 and is slidable vertically therein, said bearing being rigidly caster otherwise mounted upon the top of the cylinder housing 11 in the form of a boss or the like. The lower end of the loading bar 23 is adjusted to extend under normal conditions v through an opening in the top of the cylinder 11 and very slightly below the inner surface thereof H Rigidly mounted on the boss orbearing 25, there is a support 26 "for an adjustable contact point 27. .Extending through a. suitable opening-in said boss and rigidly con- 7 nected to the loading rod 23 by'a screw 28,

3O thereon in'position to make contact with the point 27. 7

Depending from the support of the elec-. tro-magnet there is a screw-threaded rod 31 having adjustable and locking stop nuts 32 and positioned thereon in spaced relation. Secured between the nuts 19 which connect the lower end of the rod with the upper end of the spring 18, there is ahori-zontallyextending bar 34 which embraces the rod 31 between the stops 32 and 33 so as to be movable intermediate thereof, said stops being adapted to limit its vertical movement to a predetermined extent.

Adjustably connected with the cross bar and extending downwardly therefrom, there is a link 35 which is connected at its lower end with a bell crank lever 36 fulcrumed at -37 to a supporting block 38 adjustably secured on one of the supporting rods 12. The

other end of the bell crank 36 is secured to an arm 39 which is provided on its lower end with a pen 40 in position to trace a graphic line on the chart 41.

Mounted on the protruding support 42 formed on the top of the cylinder 11, there is an instrument board 43 having mounted thereonthe switches 44 and 45 and the rheostat 46 provided with an exposed dial 47.

Asshownin the wiring diagram in Fig. 6, there is a source of current indicated at 4.8

which has one terminal connected with the.

switch 45, which in turn is connected with the electro-magnet 13. The other terminal of the electro-magnet is connected in paraliel with the resistance 46 and the contact point switch 44. The other post of the resistance coil 46 is connected with the battery 48 and the upper contact point 47.

Removably mounted in the cylinder 11 there is a piston ring 50 to be tested. The circumference of the cyllnder 11 is the same one end of the cylinder is closed and is provided with a bearing 152 extendlng inwardly therefrom through which the spindle 153 extends having its outer end screw-threaded to receive the screw '54, and having keyed thereon a gear 55.

The chart 41 is secured against the face of the gear by means of the screw 54 in position to 'be charted by the pen 40. Mounted in suitable bearings formed on the other end of the protruding support 42 there is a pinion 56 mounted on a shaft 57 supported inthe bearing extensions 58. The other end cause the ring 50 to be embraced between said arm and the arm 61. Said arms are thereupon lockedin place after the ring has been properly positioned by means of a screw 64. Said arms 61 and 62 are each provided with a forwardly-extending toe 65,

which, together with said arms, are adapted to freely slide along the surface ofthe ring 50 until. they engage vthe lug 52 ata point intermediate the outer and innerperip'heries of said ring.

In operation, the ring is mounted in the cylinder as above described so as to bear against the shoulder 51. The handle 59 is then rotated so as to cause the toes 65 toengage the lug 52, whereupon continued rotation of the handle will cause the piston ring to be rotated within the cylinder. It

will be noted that the force applied to the piston ring for rotating the same is directed to a point intermediate the outer and inner peripheries of the ring so as to avoid any component forces being set up which would disturb the proper action and forces 'to be recorded by the instrument. As shown, the position of the ring against the shoulder is lower end of said bar is normally engaged by the outer periphery of the rlng. Thus any variations 1n the curvature of the ring or in the outward radial force exerted thereby, against the wall of the cylinder will be com- I in the plane of the loading bar 23 so that the 7100 municated to the instrument through said 7 loading bar.

The contacts .27 and 30 are finally adjusted with respect :to the calibrated spring 18, whereby they will be normally closed when theringis of proper curvature and of proper tension' due to the upper pressure exerted thereby against said loading bar. Such contacts being closed and the switches 44 and 45 being closed, a current will be set up in the electrosmagnet which cuts outthe resistance 46, and the energizing thereby of the electro-magnet will cause the core 14 to be forced downwardly against the calibrated s rin 18 which in turn will cause the loading bar to press downwardly against the ring, and through the connection of the spring and core with the link 35 and arm 39, such downward movement will cause the pen 40'to'move radially and outwardly with respect .to the chart. Providing the outward radial force of the ring is sufficient to 'withstand the downward pressure exerted thereon by means-of the electro-magnet through the spring 18, the pen will move outwardly to i the extent of its movement as limited by the lower stop 32. This will indicate on the chart a niaximum of radial force exerted by the piston ring. Upon the radial force of the piston ring being overcome, sufficiently to permit a slight collapse or inward movement thereof due to the downward pressure exerted by the electro-Inagnet through the spring 18, it will allow the loading bar to move downwardly therewith so as to break electrical contact between the points 27 and 30. This will act to cause thecurrent to pass through the resistance 46, which resistance will be sufficient to reduce the energy of the electro-magnet for permitting the spring-18 to force the core upwardly therein and thereby cause the pen 40 to move toward the center of the chart.

In this connection, it might be stated that the only purpose of the rheostat 46in the circuit is to prevent sudden collapse of the recording pen which would be caused by the complete de-energizing of the electro-magnet. But the resistance is so adjusted as to cause suflicient de-energizing of the electromagnet to bring the pen to its complete inward position, wherein its movement is stopped by the stop 33, but without the sudden jarring effect that would be created by the breaking of the contact points 27 and 30 if the resistance 46 was not in the circuit. This acts as a bumper or cushion for the mechanism, although'the same action, so far as recording, would take effect without the resistance.

If there is a so-called flat in the piston ring, or if a portion of it is not of such curvature as to make proper'contact with the cylinder wall, the lower end of the loading bar will dro down sufficiently to break the contacts which will show a zero reading upon the chart by reason of the pen being positioned as near as possible to the center thereof.

From the above, it will be noted, that upon rotation of the piston ring, and the simultaneous rotation of the chart 41, there will be substantially radial lines drawn on said chart by the pen 40 which will indicate the extent of the radial force exerted by the ring, effected by the intermittent make and break of the points 27 and 30. If there is a flat, the adjustment may be such that the contacts will be broken and the pin will be at the Zero point during a certain period of rotation. If there is proper curvature and contact, but no radial force exerted, the pressure exerted by the electro-magnet will be almost immediately broken by thebreaking of the contact points by reason of the ring permitting the loading bar to promptly force the ring inwardly so that there will be a relatively short movement of the pen from zero, which short movements will continue intermittently during the rotation of the ring throughout such non-force exerting surface. When such portion ofthe ringis brought into engagement with the loading bar as will have a substantially maximum radial force, the solenoid will-be forced downwardly and the spring 18 will be compressed until the pen 40 has moved a substantial distance outwardly on the chart before the downward force overcomes the radial force of the ring and causes the contacts to break and permit the pin to move back again to zero. Such radial movements of the pin Will be rapid and intermittent so as to cre ate a large area of wave-like lines, the outer extremities .of which will give the proper plot for the radial force of the ring throughout the corresponding peripheral surface thereof, as best illustrated in Fig. 1.

Thus, according to the illustration of Fig.

1, there is charted a ring having areas AB,

CD, EF of either fiat or no radial force, such as would'cause inefiiciencyof a motor by reason of loss of compression and passage of oil. On the other hand, the chart shown herein indicates that the surfaces :DYE,

FZA and BXC exert an appreciable'radia-l force, the surface indicated at Y showing a maximum radial force.- As the chart has been rotated with the ring, the exact points or arcs of the ring to which the readings relate.

, Whereas, the instrument has been herein shown as particularly'adapted for use for a piston ring, it will be apparent that the. same arrangement may be applied to an 1nstrument for lndicating any variatlons in curvature, and by providing a suitable sup porting housing, other objects may be tested and charted for variations in curvature and spring tension through the variations in movement of the loading bar as applied and forced downwardly against the surface thereof.

The invention claimed is:

1. In a testing instrument, the combination of a support for an article to be tested, means for engaging said article, means intermittently exerting a pressure sufficient to overcome the resisting force of said article, and an electric circuit controlling said intermittent pressure means and controlled by the movement of the article engaging means. V

2. In atesting instrument, the combina tion of a cylindrical support for an article to be tested, means for rotating said article it will indicate tionof va support for an article to be tested,

means for. engaging saidarticle and applyof a cylindrical support for an article to be tested, a loading bar extending through the Wall of said support in position to engage the bearing surface of said article and exert an opposing pressure thereon, means for r0- tating said article within said cylinder and With respect to said bar, and an indicating mechanism con-trolled by the movement of said bar set upiby its engagement with said article during its rotation for indicating any variations in the bearing surface or radial force exerted thereby.

5. In a testing instrument, the combination of a support for ana-rticlc to be tesed, a loading bar in position to engage the surface of said article, an electro-magnet fixedly mounted on said support and having a floatingicore, a calibrai ed spring positioned intermediate said core and bar, an electric circuit controlled by the movement of said bar for energizing said electro -magnet and causing said spring to be compressed and forced against said article and means for breaking said circuit upon the force of said spring overcoming the force exerted by said article and deflecting the same.

6. In a testing instrument,-the combination of a support for an article to be tested, a loading bar in position to engage the surface of said article, an electro-magnet fixedly mounted on said support and having a floating core, a calibrated spring positioned intermediate said core and bar, an electriccircuit for energizing said electro-magnet, a contact point mounted on said bar, and a corresponding fixed contact point, said contact points being positioned in said circuit whereby upon its being closed said electromagnet Will be energized tor'exerting a pressure through said spring upon said bar and article sufficient to overcome the .force exerted thereby whereby said articles ill collapse and cause said contact points to separate and said circuit to be broken.

7. In a testing instrument, the combination of a support for an article to be tested, a loading bar in position to engage the surface of said article, an electro-ma-gnet fixedly mounted on said support and having a floating core, a calibrated spring positioned intermediate said core and bar, an electric circuit for energizing said electrormagnejt, a contact point mounted on said bar, a corresponding Tfixed contact point, said contact points Said spring uponsaid bar and by the movement of said engaging-means being positioned in said circuit whereby upon its being closed said electromagnet will be .energized'for exerting a pressure through ficient toovercome the force exerted thereby whereby said article will collapse and cause said contact points to separate and said circuit to be-broken, and means operableflthereby for indicating the pressure exerted on said article.

8 In av testing instrument, the combination of a support for an article to betested, means for engaging said article, means for moving article su-rsaid article and engaging-means relative to each other, and an electric circuitvcontrolled for exerting a pressure thereonwhen closed and releasing said pressure when opened by a predetermined extent of movement, of said engaging-means.

9. In a testing instrument, the combination of a support for an article to be tested, a

loading bar adapted to engage said article and having a contact point thereon, means for moving said article and bar relative to each other, a corresponding fixed contact point, an electric circuitembracing said contact points, a calibrated spring connected with said bar, and means controlled by said circuit for causing said spring to force said bar against the article to be tested until the Y pressure thereupon is sufficient to permit said 'bar to move and cause the contact points to be separated for breaking said circuit.

10. In a testing instrument,'the-combinationof a support-tor an article tobe tested, a loading :bar adapted toengage said article and having a contact point thereon, means for moving said article and bar relative to each other, a corresponding fixed contact point, anelectric circuit embracmg said contact points, a calibrated spring connected with said bar, means controlled by said circult for causing said sure thereupon is sufficient to permit said bar to move and cause the contact polnts tobe separated for breaking said circuit, and an indicating mechanism controlled by said spring for indicating the pressure exertedthereby. v

11. In a testing instrument, the combination of a support for an article to be tested, a loading bar in position to engage said article, means for moving said article and bar tion of a support for an article to be tested,

a loading bar in position to engage said article, means for moving said article and bar spring to force said bar against the article to be tested until the presiou ' bar upon said pressure relative to each other, means for exerting a pressure on said bar against said article,

means controlled by the movement of said being increased sufiicient to cause said article to give for causing the release of said pressure, and indicating mechanism controlled by said last-mentioned means for re istering the extent of the force exerted.

13. In a testing instrument, the combination of a housing in which an article to be tested is adapted to be positioned, means for moving said article with respect to said housing, a loading bar extending into said housing and in engagement with said article, an electro-magnet mounted on said housing, a calibrated spring positioned intermediate said loading bar and the core in said electromagnet, a contact point mounted on said loading bar, a corresponding contact point supported on said housing, an electric circuit including said contact points and electromagnet, whereby upon the contact of said points said circuit will be closed for energizing said electro-magnet and applying a force through said spring upon said loadino bar and article, and means connected witi the core of said electro-magnet for. indicating the resistance by said article before the same is caused to be deflected sufliciently to permit the contact points to separate and break said circuit.

14:. In a testing instrument, the combination of a support for an article to be tested, means for engaging said article and exerting an opposing pressure thereon, means for rotating said article and engaging means relative to each other, a chart supported in connection with said article and rotatable in synchronism therewith, and an indicating mechanism controlled by said engaging means for indicating on said chart the movement thereof, whereby any variations in the surface of said article or the force exerted thereby will be indicated on corresponding positions on said chart.

15. In a testing instrument, the combina tion of a cylindrical support for an annular article to be tested, a loading bar extending through the wall of said cylindrical support in contact, with the surface of sald article and exerting an opposing pressure thereon, means for rotating said article within said support,

a chart rotatably mounted on said support and adapted to be rotated in synchronism with said article, and indicating mechanism controlled bysaid loading bar for recording on said chart during its rotary movement the movement of said bar so as to indicate any variations in the surface of said article or the force exerted thereby.

sitioned, a, chart mounted in connection with f said article, means for rotating said chart and article in synchronism and with respect to said housing, a loading bar extending into said housing and'in engagement with said article, an electro-magnet mounted on said housing having a floating core, a calibrated spring positioned intermediate said core and bar, an indicating mechanism associated with said spring and core and in position to engage and graph said chart, a contact point mounted on said loading bar, a corresponding contact point supported on said housing, an electric circuit including said contact points and electro-magnet, and a resistance unit positioned in said circuit, whereby upon said contact points being closed said resistance will be shunted and said electro-magnet will be energized for exerting a pressure against said article through said'spring and bar until said pressure overcomes the radial force exerted by said article causing said contacts to be broken whereby the current passing,

through said resistance will cause said elecficient to substantially release the pressure exerted thereby, said indicating mechanism graphing the extent of pressure thus exerted on said chart at positions thereon corresponding to said article.

17 The process of measuring an article for variations in contact and spring tension, consisting in mounting said article in a suitable support, moving the article with respect to the support, applying a force-exerting member against the article adapted to make or break an electrical circuit, providing means for exerting a pressure against said member for deflecting said article sufliciently to break said circuit and relieve the pressure exerted on said member, and recording the force required for such deflection of said article.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto aiiixed my signature. 7

JOHN H. HOLLOWAY. 

